‘Supernatural’ Spin-Off in Development at The CW – Will It Work?

During a press event at Comic-Con on Saturday, Supernatural executive producer Bob Singer revealed that The CW is developing a spin-off series based on their hit show about the monster-hunting Winchester brothers. The network has already created a spin-off show for their other popular fantasy show, The Vampire Diaries, titled The Originals, which will air in the Tuesday 8/7c timeslot just behind Supernaturalstarting in October, and The CW has apparently decided that spin-offs are the way to go.

Supernatural is still going strong after eight seasons, and is unofficially The CW’s flagship show, so it makes sense for the network to test out another spin-off show in the same universe. There have already been two such extraneous shows based on Supernatural: Ghostfacers, a mockumentary web series about the nerdy team of wannabe monster-hunters who occasionally appear in the main show, and Supernatural: The Anime Series, which was produced by Japanese studio Madhouse.

There are plenty of existing characters who have appeared on the show and could potentially be interesting to put at the forefront of their own spin-off show – the third Winchester brother, Adam, for example, who appeared on the show for a few episodes and was then quietly dropped down a hole and forgotten by both the writers and the characters – but according to TV Line the protagonist of the Supernatural spin-off will be a new character, introduced in the main show around season 9, episode 20, which will also serve as a pilot for the new show.

The only other tidbit of information is that, whereas Supernatural is perhaps best known for the Winchester brothers’ never-ending road trips through sweeping American landscapes and visits to small, quirky towns, the spin-off show will be “citified” – possibly based in a single urban location. There are any number of directions that the show could go from here, but perhaps a supernatural detective show could be on the cards; something along the lines of The Dresden Files, the short-lived adaptation of Jim Butcher’s novels that aired on Syfy.

The big question, of course, is whether or not a major spin-off Supernatural show would actually work. After all, the core dynamic and main attraction of the series has always been the relationship between the two main characters, so a show set in the same universe but without the pair to lead it would likely be a risk. Having said that, Supernatural already has a large and dedicated fandom, and there will always be a market for shows about things that go bump in the night. The best bet for the Supernatural spin-off would probably be to detach itself from the storyline of the current series and do as much as possible to build up an independent cast of characters with a strong original premise.

During Screen Rant’s own coverage of Supernatural at Comic-Con 2013, we learned that both showrunner Jeremy Carver and star Jared Padalecki are eager to see the main show go on to at least season 11 or 12, which could explain The CW’s desire to bolster the Supernatural franchise with a second show. However, since several movie studios have expressed an interest in signing Jensen Ackles on for a superhero movie role, and the main actors are only contracted for Supernatural up to the end of season 10, it’s possible that the spin-off could be intended as a back-up in case Supernatural ends within the next couple of years.

For Supernatural fans, and even those who have never seen the show, would you be interested in watching The CW’s new spin-off?

I voted maybe because it’s the CW and I’m not a fan of most of their programming except Supernatural and Arrow. So it depends entirely on the new show’s style and characters. I won’t tune in just because it is set in the same universe as Supernatural…well, not more than one episode.

Hm.. it really depends. Like the article said, the main reason why Supernatural is as great as it is, is because of the excellent family dynamic. Without the Winchesters, the spin-off would have to have something really impressive in order to keep me interested.

Why does it have to be “citified”? Why do these people always think the rest of us wish we lived in the city? I for one see a city setting for a show or movie as a negative. This is one viewer who will not follow.

I think it all comes down to who’s starring and what the premise of the show is. Supernatural (primarily seasons 6-7) have destroyed most all workable story concepts that would allow for an eventual large-scale endgame and, because Supernatural is set in the same universe as would be the spin-off, any major things that happen in the show would have to be carried over to the spin-off. This could get very confusing if the writers for both series are different or don’t compare notes often.

i still cant believe that crap fest of a show vampire diaries got a spin off… Also i would totally watch a supernatural spin off just has to have a good story line and a good main character say like cas or something

it may be possible to create a spin-off, but it would really depend on a strong premise and great leading character. as stated by the producers it will focus on one single character and therefore the main draw of the supernatural – the relationship between the two brothers – will be gone. we’ll just have to wait and see what they come up with and whether this will be worth our time…

Before you go hating on something watch it. Supernatural is a great show. Smallville and Arrow are to so if your going to be offensive towards peoples opinions please just dont’t i’m a teen male and some of my favorite shows, and friends, are on the CW.

I hate to be picky, but Supernatural has been going strong for 8 seasons, not 9, though this upcoming season will probably still do good.
As far as the spinoff, what everyone else said, too early to tell, but it will have big shoes to fill.

Well, if it involves a ‘character to be introduced in the upcoming season…’ they could do a fallen angel detective thing along the lines of the Remy Chandler books by Thomas E. Sniegoski. Just a thought…

The whole city idea would botch what Supernatural is all about. I would love to see a spin-off of a young John Winchester raising our boys on the open road. It would be nice to have more of an insight and understanding of the character of John Winchester. Also, at least Sam and Dean will still be a big part of the show…at least as cute little tykes:)

I would love to see a kiss ass female character she could be hunter or supernatural…. like buffy was but not exactly. I would also love to see an episode Carrie based or a character like her. always been fascinated with Carrie and her fire power her darkness but the good that’s in her could be a awesome character to play with. well I guess we will see what happens but it would be cool.